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Biomedical subjects

M Kaji

Publications and source records attributed to M Kaji.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

[Immunological assay of the CA-125 value in pleural effusion in various types of pleuritis--its application as a differential diagnostic parameter of tuberculous or carcinomatous pleuritis].

We measured the CA-125 value in the peripheral blood and pleural effusion of 85 patients with various types of pleural effusion using an immunoradiometric assay with a monoclonal antibody (CA-125 radioimmunoassay kit). In pleuritis with primary lung cancer, the positive rate of the CA-125 value in the peripheral blood was 53.6%. The CA-125 value in tuberculous pleural effusion was significantly lower than that in carcinomatous pleural effusion (p less than 0.02). Accordingly, this assay of CA-125 in the pleural effusion is useful in the differential diagnosis of whether the pleural effusion is tuberculous or carcinomatous.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

[A case of Isaac's syndrome--continuous muscle fiber activity syndrome].

A 34-year-old woman noted difficulty of gait initiation, then dilated finger opening and hyperhidrosis appeared. Her stature was a muscular habitus, and muscle stiffness and myokymia were found in all muscles of the extremities. Her stiffness persisted during sleep. Her calf muscles were large and a contracture was noticed in ankle joints. There was no evidence of wasting and weakness. A remarkable delay in voluntary relaxation of the contracted muscles without percussion myotonia was recognized. Tendon reflexes of lower extremities were absent. Laboratory examination revealed elevation of CPK, LDH, myoglobulin, aldolase and basal metabolic rate (BMR). An extraband of CPK isoenzyme between MB and MM fraction was observed. The thin layer gel filtration technique and immunofixation technique showed that this extraband was complexes of CPK and IgA, and light chain of the CPK linked IgA was lambda type. All other laboratory tests were normal for the following: urinalysis, ESR, a blood count, liver function, kidney function, glucose, rheumatoid factor, CRP, thyroid function, parathyroid function, serum electrolytes, ECG, EEG, cranial CT, without slight elevation of IgA, and CSF protein. In needle EMG and surface EMG spontaneous discharges were recorded at rest. These discharges consist of normal motor unit potentials, doublets, and triplets in needle EMG. The discharges were markedly reduced after the median nerve block with xylocaine. In needle EMG, myotonic discharge was not observed. Nerve conduction velocities were within normal ranges. According to these data, she was diagnosed as having Issacs' syndrome (continuous muscle fiber activity syndrome). Carbamazepine, 200 mg daily was administrated and showed a dramatic reversal of the symptoms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[A case of peptostreptococcal meningitis associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hematoma].

A very rare case of peptostreptococcal meningitis associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage and subdural hematoma was reported. A 25-year-old man was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital on November 6, 1984 with a few day's history of headache and low grade fever. On admission, he had high grade fever (39.2 degrees C) and tachycardia (110/min). There were no neurological deficits other than neck stiffness and Kernig's sign. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which was obtained through lumbar puncture showed watery clear appearance, white cell count of 32/3 mm3 (mononuclear: polymorphonuclear = 4:5), protein 76 mg/dl and glucose 8 mg/dl. It was found to be sterile. However, peptostreptococcus was found in his peripheral blood culture. He was diagnosed peptostreptococcal meningitis. After administration of antibiotics, laboratory test result of CSF improved gradually so as his meningeal irritation signs. After 25 days of hospitalization, he developed suddenly severe headache. CSF showed bloody and xanthochromic appearance, and CT scan revealed a subdural hematoma in the left fronto-temporal convexity. Although we suspected formation of mycotic aneurysm caused by the meningitis and its rupture, cerebral angiography revealed no abnormality except for the findings of subdural hematoma. The subdural hematoma was completely absorbed and he was discharged 79 days after admission without having any neurological deficit. We concluded that such a mycotic aneurysm was too small to be detected by the cerebral angiography.

Adult↗

[Pharmacokinetic studies of a new oral cephem T-2588. Pharmacokinetics in gastrectomized volunteers and the renal excretory system in healthy volunteers].

According to the result of the pharmacokinetic examination of T-2588 (esterified prodrug of T-2525) administered to adult male volunteers who have undergone gastrectomy, it appears that the absorption of T-2588 is delayed in the hypoacidity or the anacidity and also the excretion ratio of T-2525A (an inactive metabolite of T-2525) showed a tendency to become higher in these subjects. Again, according to the result of the pharmacokinetic examination of T-2588 when it was administered together with probenecid to normal healthy volunteers, it appears that the T-2525 is excreted from the kidneys not only into the glomerular filtration but also partly through renal tubules.

Adult↗

Prevalence of immunologic markers of hepatitis A and B infection in hospital personnel in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan.

Between 1980 and 1983, a total of 1,883 serum samples from employees of four prefectural hospitals in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan were surveyed for antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) and for the following hepatitis B virus markers: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Overall prevalences were 36.9% for anti-HAV, 3.4% for HBsAg, 23.3% for anti-HBs, and 36.6% for anti-HBc. In the control group of 233 healthy persons, prevalences were 51.5% for anti-HAV, 3.0% for HBsAg, 28.3% for anti-HBs, and 33.5% for anti-HBc. No significant difference in the distribution of HBsAg was seen among five work categories. Anti-HBc prevalence was significantly higher in nurses than in office workers (p less than 0.05), other medical personnel (p less than 0.05), and controls (p less than 0.01). The differences between nurses and office workers and other medical personnel became greater with age, but a difference between nurses and the control group was recognized in every age group. A significant difference in the distribution of anti-HBc was seen between surgical physicians (36.7%) and nonsurgical physicians (27.1%). Prevalence of anti-HAV in physicians (32.8%), nurses (29.6%), and laboratory technicians (40.1%) was significantly lower than in the control group (51.5%). These data suggest that in the hospitals studied, hepatitis B is an occupational hazard to nurses and surgical physicians, but that hepatitis A is not.

Adult↗

Involvement of protein sulfhydryls in the trigger reaction of rhodotorucine A, a farnesyl peptide mating pheromone of Rhodosporidium toruloides.

The involvement of protein sulfhydryls for the signaling of rhodotorucine A, a mating pheromone produced by mating type A cells of Rhodosporidium toruloides, was investigated by the use of sulfhydryl compounds. The sulfhydryl-blocking reagent 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB; Ellman's reagent) strongly inhibited both the biological effect of the pheromone on the recipient cell and the hydrolysis of the pheromone, which is catalyzed by the mating type-specific surface endopeptidase of the recipient cell. Conversely, the two reactions were markedly enhanced by the presence of the reducing reagent dithiothreitol. The inhibitory effect of DTNB on the pheromone response of the recipient cell was specific to an initial stage of the differentiation; once it had initiated, the reagent had no effect on its progression. The results suggested that dithiothreitol enhances and DTNB impairs the efficiency with which the pheromone triggers sexual d differentiation. The reaction of DTNB with cellular protein sulfhydryls was highly restricted to those at the exterior surface of the membrane due to the impermeability of the reagent through the membrane. Phosphorylation of endogenous proteins, which is modulated by the pheromone added to an in vitro phosphorylation system, was also blocked by DTNB. The results showed that sulfhydryl groups are involved in the pheromone hydrolysis by the surface endopeptidase of the recipient cell and that pheromone metabolism is indispensable for the signaling reaction. We suggest that the modulation of protein phosphorylation of membrane proteins by the pheromone is an initial transmembrane response coupled to pheromone metabolism.

Animals↗